The Bombay Psychological Association (BPA) was founded in 1945 as a quasi academic organisation with a main objective to unify psychologists, psychiatrists and share and exchange their view on the subject of psychology.
Under the leadership of Dr. K.A.J. Lalkaka, the association was founded and he conducted the first conference of BPA on 7th and 8th Feb, 1948 at Wilson College, Chowpatty. It was an attempt to bring all the fraternity of psychologists in India together on a joint platform. The then secretary Prof. A.A. Khatri was full of initiatives and interest to make a mark in the field of psychology.
Stated Vision:
- To spearhead, co-ordinate & come to a memorandum of understanding between policy-makers, government organisations, NGOs & psychologists (practicing & academicians) regarding employment & service conditions for the Psychologists.
- To cater to the psychological needs of the people living in the Megapolis.
- To cooperate & coordinate interdisciplinary research with other scientific bodies.
- To facilitate the members to publish books brochures & periodicals in the various fields of psychology.
- To conduct study circles & organise study tours, field trips to the organisations that have a bearing on the science of psychology.
- To hold National, International conferences & conventions to furtherance the above-mentioned objectives
Stated Mission:
- To pursue & promote the study of Psychology as a science.
- To disseminate knowledge of psychology through lectures, symposia, discussions debates & such other means appropriate for the purpose.
- To hold Annual conventions in order to have an annual meet of B.P.A. Members to exchange & share experiences & expertise in psychological research & practice.
- To publish a biannual journal ‘Bombay Psychologist’.
- To mobilize & co-ordinate out-reach programs to help the community at large who need psychological interventions
‘The Bombay Psychologist’ Journal:
The Bombay Psychologist is the official Bi-annual journal published by the BPA with the no. ISSN 0975-0738.
The first journal was published on 28th October, 1978 and its first editor was Dr. M.D GHORPADE. It has now completed 18 years. It has a membership of 600 subscribers. The journal has been on the U.G.C. list of recognized psychology journals. Its articles and abstracts are regularly documented since 1982. Many eminent Indian as well as some internationally known psychologists have contributed their articles to the journal. To encourage research and dissemination of the knowledge of psychology in Indian languages “Bombay Psychologists” now publishes research papers and articles in Marathi, Gujarati and Hindi. The journal is being published bi-annually in March/April and October/November each year. The journal articles include:
- Research articles
- Review articles
- Book reviews
- News bulletin
- Letters to editor